title: The effects of acute treatment with paroxetine, amitriptyline, and placebo on the equilibrium function in healthy subjects: a double-blind crossover trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Depression is common in old age, and is treatable with antidepressants. However, antidepressants use can increase the risk of falls. Thus, we assessed the effects of antidepressants on equilibrium function using posturography.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study recruited 10 healthy male volunteers (35.3 ± 3.7 years). In this double-blinded, three-way crossover trial, they received acute doses of 10 mg paroxetine, 25 mg amitriptyline, and placebo. They were administered posturography at baseline and 4-h postdosing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 4-h postdosing, amitriptyline significantly decreased the locus length per unit area (L/A) and increased the envelope area compared with those at baseline. Meanwhile, the total length and the locus length per time (L/T) at 4-h postdosing of amitriptyline did not show significant differences from those at baseline. After paroxetine treatment, there were no significant differences in total length, L/T, L/A, and the envelope area between baseline and 4-h postdosing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An acute dose of amitriptyline significantly decreased L/A and increased the envelope area as markers of body sway. Evaluation of equilibrium function is important for preventing the potential risk of falls and body sway after taking antidepressants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chubu University , Kasugai , Japan.
authors.forename: Seiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miyata
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noda
authors.forename: Kunihiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iwamoto
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iidaka
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ozaki
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010919:Placebos; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects*; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010919:Placebos; D000639:Amitriptyline; D017374:Paroxetine